Ephesus was founded in the II millennium BC in a convenient location for trade - at the intersection of sea routes and caravan routes from the Asian depths. The greatest flowering of Ephesus reached during the Roman Empire, and most of the local archaeological sites related to this period. The decline of the city began in the second half of the III century, when it was captured and destroyed by the Goths. At the beginning of the reign of the Ottoman Turks Ephesus was committed to complete oblivion.

Among the most interesting sights of the city - the magnificent ancient theater, designed for 24,000 spectators, the Temple of Hadrian, built in honor of the eponymous emperor and is considered one of the main attractions of Ephesus, Library of Celsus, which remained 12 000 parchment scrolls, Fountain of Trajan, the Temple of Serapis - Egyptian god of fertility, the ruins of the nymphaeum - the sanctuary of the nymphs, terraced houses with mosaics and the remains of early Byzantine houses an exhibition of ancient utensils.

To the ruins of the ancient city adjacent to two mountains - Mount Falcon with the House of the Virgin Mary and the mountain peony with the "Cave of the seven sleepers young men." House of the Virgin Mary - Christian shrine. According to legend, he spent his last few years of life, the Virgin Mary and took her away to himself, Jesus Christ (Assumption of the Virgin Mary). The lodge is at the top of the mountain to where the track-streamers. Before the house is a small bronze statue of the Virgin Mary. Inside on the floor - carpet, and the walls - sayings from the Koran about Mary.

In the ancient theater of summer music festivals. The upper ranks of his audience a magnificent view of the surrounding area of ​​Ephesus.